Woman arrested after man found dead in Phoenix home with 'obvious signs of trauma'

Loved ones of murder victim speak out after police arrest suspect

64-year-old Jimmie Montgomery was found dead inside a Phoenix home on Feb. 25. On March 3, Phoenix Police officials announced they have arrested the victim's girlfriend, 40-year-old Sally Macias, in connection with Montgomery's murder. FOX 10's Irene Snyder spoke with Montgomery's family, who reportedly helped police track down Macias.

PHOENIX - A murder suspect has been arrested, after a man was found dead inside his Phoenix home on the night of Feb. 25.

The case began after officers responded to a shooting call at a residence near 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road just after 9 p.m. Police say they found 64-year-old Jimmie Montgomery inside the house dead with what was described as ‘obvious signs of trauma.’

Neighbors in the area told officers that they had not seen or heard from Montgomery for several days before the reported shooting.

Sally Macias

On March 3, police said 40-year-old Sally Macias was arrested in connection to the case.

Macias, who was Montgomery's girlfriend, told police she killed Montgomery, and according to court documents, there have been other incidents of domestic violence at that home.

Macias told police Montgomery had pulled her to the ground, then back up again. She reported running to the kitchen, grabbing a gun, and shooting him in the chest. She said she did not believe that Montgomery would have killed her or physically harmed her.

Family members react to suspect's arrest

On March 4, we spoke with the victim's sister and niece. They helped police track down the suspect, and now, they want justice for their loved one.

"It was very, very hard, ‘cause I was the last one to see him. It just didn't make sense that he got killed like that," said Montgomery’s niece, Akila Dancer. "He was very outgoing, very helpful, funny. He loved all his family and friends."

Dancer said she knew something was wrong when her uncle did not reply to any of her messages. She had seen him just a couple of days before he died.

"There was this young female in the house," said Dancer. "She gave off a bad vibe. She even went off on me because she thought I was something I wasn't. I was his niece."

That woman, as we now know, is Macias, Montgomery's girlfriend. Macias was arrested after Montgomery's sister tracked her down to a hotel in the area.

"Sure enough, there she is waiting, and as soon as we confirm that was her, we called the police," said Montgomery's sister.

Police officials said when Macias was arrested, they found meth, which Macias admitted to taking several times a day. Macias is facing several charges, including second degree murder and possession of a dangerous drug.